The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-10-29
TORPEDO FISH.
The Electricity in Thorn Will Knock
Man Down.
How "a Savannah Athlete Tried To Pick One
Up on "a Eot-Tho Shocks Inyosti-
gatod by Scientists Curious
Results shown.

o. the beach Of 1ybce, the other
day, an Old fisherman in oilskins was
unloading u boat that had been full Oi
fish, when II lusty young man clad in
white trousers aud white flannel
shirt. met the old fellows eye.
"You look ike likely hefter. "
called out the old fisherman, his hand-
and arms meanwhile falling To the
perpendicular AMI merry twinkle
taking possession Of his eyes.
"A likely what?" rather Indignantly
rcjrincd tho youth
~ likely heftcr-a chap who can
lifl heap" was the reply.
"Yes; ! am considered pretty strong
IN the Savannah Athletic Club" was
the answer.
'D.d you ever lift much Gsh?' asked
the old fellow. throwing huge netful
Of tinkcrs on the dock. and looking.
his companion over with n critical
eye.
Il never saw the fish couldn't
lift"
The fisherman thrust his hand into
his pocket. from which, after violent
strugg glc and much inyectvc. he hauled
out very nat, light leather pocket
book. that was closed with strap and
piece Of rope yarn. H. took from IL
n clean ton-dollar bill aud said:' I'm
going on cighty-one years old next
muster day. but I'll bet you ten dol
lars even you cant lift fish that
can"
Where's your fsh2" asked the
youth.
"Wcll. I'll tell you Here's n fish."
aud he pokod among tha thinkers and
pointed to IA large. solid aud skate
like fish in tho bottom of tho dory.
'L'ts soc; it's about five foot up To
the dock. I'll bet YOU the ten dollars
you cant toss the fish up there"
IL don't want To take your money"
replied tho young man. magnanimous-
ly, rs u number Of spectators drew
around. "Bnt il you've got half q
dozen OF the fish, string 'om all to-
gc.hcr and give mc something worth
doing I've lifted so pounds before
breakfast"
"Oh, yes. I've hoard tell OF YOU"
said the old MN, somewhat warmly.
You rc tn, man that ate n piece OF
rubbcr hose for breakfast. aud didn't
find out it wasn't sausage till some
body told YOU Soc that thumb -nailP'
he asked, holling up curious stub
with horny growth upon IT, "Wcll,
served prentice once To box
maker. and used To put in all the
screws with that nail. and pull 'em
out with my tocth when they broke
of You know me. and tn stick to- 1t
you can't hcayc that fish up to the
dock, and thcro's the money
The Savannah athlete thus called
upon. deposited ten dollars with n
wcll-ku own gentleman who had Joined
the party. and went down the ladder
into the boat. while the old fisherman
climbed up on tho dock To watch the
feat.
Stand back thcrcv shouted the
boss tosScr rolling up his sleeves.
"Ths fish might hit you. old man.
aud knock somc of the blow out of
you"
'Hcavc away responded the man
in oil-skins. tipping n wink at the
crowd in general.
The young man now stepped into
the dory and pokcd away the tinkcrs-
small mackcrcl-that were sliding
about. Standing on the edge of the
boat he stopped down, graspcd the
skatc-likc fish aud lifted. raising it
about foot. Then. uttcring yell.
he staggered moment and fell with
n rcsounding splash into the water.
nearly capsizing the boat in accom-
plishing the feat, which was received
with shouts of laughter from the dock.
the old fisherman fairly dancing
hornpipo on the rail.
What the matter with you?' he
shouted. Ms the unfortunate athlete
scrambled into the dory again. swear.
ing like pitatc. Trying to upset
the boat, are yoH9"
'Who struck mc9 Somebody CAV,
me knock ON the neck just as was
lifting"
Nonsense" cried nearly every
man in the crowd. "You wasu'i
touched"
"Ill take my oath felt somc'hin"
hit me. II this is skin game l want
TO know it," Bracing himself firmly
in the boat, he again grLsrel the iisl
with both hands aud raised il three
fceL and then fish. athlete and al
went backward among The unkels
Man. fish, oars aud bailers were mixed
up for moment At last the Sayan-
nah 'hefter' made break for the
lock. and. once upon il. sank down
upon pile of boards H. was rs
white rs sheet and was covered with
scales from head to foot.
''Scnd for doetorl" he gasped. as
he men crowded around
"whyP What's the matter with YOU
my wayP'
"Tve had a stroke" whispered the
'ictim. "The mo- omcnt | stopped TO |
1T IL. | felt il runnin' al over me. |
ts IN our family; but I've got II bad"
nal hpro hc n, ,bhcI HE a,n,s onI L.. !